With a fair forecast for the next few days, we decided to stick to our plan of heading for the Frisian islands. Leaving Den Oever near to high water we locked through the Stevinsluis, at the western end of the IJsselmeer's barrier dam, moving right to the front of the two part lock so that only the smaller chamber needed to be operated. The buoyed Visjagersgaatje channel now winds its way between the sandbanks, replacing the more southerly route in recent years. A dredger was in operation keeping the way clear.

As we approached Den Helder, the harbour was closed temporarily for the entrance of a naval vessel but was clear again by the time we were ready to make our entry. We opted against the extra lock and bridge needed to access the inner harbour, and opted for the convenience of the Royal Naval Yacht club, immediately to starboard as you enter the harbour. A cafe-restaurant has recently been added to the small harbour office in the northern corner of the basin, but most of the dishes seem to be of the "something with a fried egg on top" variety. No doubt this is meant to offset the failure to welcome visiting yachtsmen at the Naval Yacht Club, although we were not tempted to sample the fare.

Den Helder is not the most attractive of ports, but it does offer the range of facilities required of a refuge from bad weather - shops, restaurants and a couple of tourist attractions. We chose the nearby marine museum, dedicated to the Royal Netherlands Navy. Some of the presentations seemed rather apologetic for the small size and insignificant role of the Dutch Navy, especially in the last century. Life in the navy through the years is illustrated with tours of a 19th century ice breaker, a minesweeper from the 1930's and a submarine built in 1966.

In the afternoon we made the mile cycle ride into the town, where all the shops we could wish for were provided under a covered "winkel passage" - handy as the now traditional persistent rain had started again. Restaurants of all nations are also available here, but you wouldn't want to embark on the trip without a bike, as the walk is long and dull.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 12 nm

Total to date: 1117 nm

Avg Speed: 7 knots

Duration: 1:40 hours

Diesel: 42 litres

Wind: W/NW 2/3

Mooring: €16

Electricity: Not working

Bridges

Stevinsluis (lift)

Locks

Stevinsluis

Charts

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